Equipment Director

Primary Objective:

The Director of Equipment Maintenance is responsible for developing and executing strategic maintenance initiatives to optimize equipment performance, reliability, and cost efficiency in a high-volume manufacturing and development environment. This role provides leadership across all modules, ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards while driving continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making. Additionally, the director oversees capital planning, vendor management, and cost-reduction strategies to support operational excellence and long-term business objectives. With a strong focus on team development, this position fosters a high-performance culture by mentoring engineers and technicians, implementing training programs, and driving innovation in equipment maintenance and automation.

Major Areas of Accountability:

1. Strategic Leadership & Compliance




1. Develop and execute long-term equipment maintenance strategies to align with organizational goals and drive continuous improvement.
2. Champion a culture of safety, operational excellence, and compliance within the fab environment.




2. Cross-Functional Leadership & Operational Execution




1. Provide executive leadership for Photo, Etch, Diffusion, Thin Films, Implant, Metals, Metrology, and CMP module teams, ensuring seamless cross-functional coordination.
2. Establish and enforce best practices for equipment utilization, maintenance, and troubleshooting across all modules to optimize efficiency.
3. Drive collaboration between engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to align equipment performance with overall manufacturing and ATS objectives.




3. Manufacturing KPI Achievement & Performance Optimization




1. Define, execute, and continuously refine equipment strategies to support the fab in achieving key manufacturing KPIs such as uptime, yield, and cycle time.
2. Leverage predictive and preventive maintenance programs to enhance equipment availability and reliability while minimizing downtime.
3. Implement data-driven decision-making processes to proactively address bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and performance gaps.




4. Equipment Performance & Continuous Improvement




1. Establish a comprehensive framework for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing equipment performance, leveraging key metrics such as MA, throughput, and defect rates.
2. Lead managers and engineers to drive root cause analysis and corrective action implementation for chronic equipment failures, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies.
3. Spearhead technology-driven improvements, including automation, AI, and machine learning, to enhance overall equipment efficiency.




5. Capital Planning, Budgeting & Vendor Management




1. Develop and manage capital expenditure budgets for equipment procurement, installation, upgrades, and decommissioning.
2. Oversee equipment layout and modification projects to align with evolving production needs and capacity expansion plans.
3. Negotiate and manage contracts with equipment suppliers and service providers, ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining high operational standards.




6. Cost Reduction & Asset Management




1. Drive cost reduction initiatives through innovative maintenance strategies, equipment refurbishment programs, and operational efficiency improvements.
2. Establish a robust spare parts management system to optimize inventory levels and minimize unplanned downtime.
3. Collaborate with finance and procurement teams to evaluate ROI on major equipment investments and cost-saving opportunities.




7. People Development & Organizational Growth




1. Develop a high-performing maintenance organization by mentoring, coaching, and investing in talent development.
2. Implement robust training and certification programs to upskill technicians and engineers across all shifts.
3. Drive succession planning and leadership development to build a sustainable pipeline of future equipment leaders.




8. Technology Roadmap & Innovation




1. Identify emerging trends and technologies in semiconductor equipment maintenance, ensuring the organization stays ahead of industry advancements.
2. Lead the evaluation and adoption of automation, predictive analytics, and IoT-enabled maintenance solutions to enhance operational effectiveness.
3. Foster strong relationships with external partners, industry consortia, and technology providers to drive innovation and competitive advantage.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: BS degree in Engineering and 10+ years relevant industry experience
• 10+ years' experience in semiconductor HV manufacturing with minimum 4-5 years of experience in manager role.
• Strong technical expertise in troubleshooting complex equipment issues in the fab.
• Leadership and team management skills to effectively lead a diverse team of technicians, engineers, and section managers.
• Data analysis and problem-solving abilities to identify and address production issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with automated fault detection and control systems (FDC).

• Deep understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) including but not limited to creating and editing charts.
• US Citizenship: This position requires the ability and willingness to obtain a security clearance which requires US Citizenship.

The annual salary range for this role is $153,440- $230,160. Pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, the job-related experience, skills, education, and credentials of each candidate.

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well other employee financial benefits including 401k match, life insurance and opportunities to purchase SkyWater stock at a discounted rate.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site fitness facility, an on-site, self-serve market.

SkyWater is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants for all job openings are welcome and will be considered without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics, medical conditions, family care or medical leave status, military service or status as a Protected Veteran, marital status, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws ("Protected Characteristics"). SkyWater complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning EEO/AA employment. SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or Human.Resources@SkyWatertechnology.com

• Bloomington, MN, USA